The 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) wrapped its two-week showcase on a high note, crowning Spanish director Júlia de Paz Solvas’ intimate family drama The Good Daughter as the Grand Prix winner in the official selection competition. The heartfelt tale, which also swept the audience award, emerged from a competitive field of 252 features from 79 countries, underscoring the festival’s growing prestige as an “A-list” event alongside Cannes and Venice.
Family Drama ‘The Good Daughter’ Wins Top Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival Award https://t.co/bMAtdqCCnz
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 22, 2025
At its core, The Good Daughter (original title: La Buena Hija) follows a teenage girl navigating the turbulent waters of familial discord, portrayed with unflinching authenticity. The non-professional lead, Kiara Arancibia, earned the Best Actress nod for her “mesmerizing” debut, delivering a performance the jury hailed as “honest and sensitive,” allowing viewers to deeply empathize with her inner turmoil. Solvas, a rising Catalan filmmaker fresh off co-writing the Series Mania-winning show Querer, crafted the story alongside co-writer Núria Dunjó to champion children’s rights amid cycles of domestic strife. “We started this film with the desire to reclaim such fundamental rights as children’s rights, living in a relationship of violence,” Solvas shared during her acceptance, embracing Arancibia on stage in a moment of raw emotion.
The jury—chaired by Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska and including Friends costume designer Debra McGuire—praised the film’s restrained approach: “It handles difficult themes with care, making the story feel real… Overall, the film shows family struggles in a realistic and meaningful way.” Simple cinematography and editing kept the focus squarely on emotional truth, earning Beta Cinema additional buzz as sales agent.
Family motifs dominated the awards, with Finland’s The Well—a debut by Siiri Halko—snagging the €20,000 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award. Turkey’s Lifelike took Best Director for Ali Vatansever, while Germany’s The Frog and the Water shared Best Actor honors. Ukrainian resilience shone through, as Hercules Falling by Christian Bonke claimed the First Feature prize and Fipresci Award, dedicating it to war victims with a resounding “Glory to Ukraine.”
Amid 860 guests from 50 nations, PÖFF director Tiina Lokk celebrated its artistic ethos over glamour, teasing a milestone 30th edition. Lithuania’s nine wins highlighted Baltic vitality, blending poignant docs like Holy Destructors with youth-focused Just Film honors. As global conflicts linger, the festival’s emphasis on healing and unity resonated, proving cinema’s power to bridge divides.
